After serving a full term in the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio, a Republican, launched his presidential bid rather than seek reelection. The son of Cuban exiles, Rubio used his own experiences to connect with not only the Hispanic community but also others who were neglected by the government at the time. Rubio was critical of not only the Obama administration and Democratic policies but of presidential hopefuls within the Republican Party who wanted to bring the United States back to a mythical time of prosperity. Rubio argued that for the United States to progress, it must be forward thinking and limit the role of the federal government. The United States, he said, must focus on strengthening the family bond, uplifting the common American, and improving the country’s moral standing with a stronger focus on religion.